Nariko Knudtson, aged 85, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2024 at home with her family. She was born on November 7th, 1938, in Naha, Okinawa to Shintoku and Hana Oshiro. She was a proud resident of Indiana, PA from 1974 until she moved to White Oak, PA with her daughter & son in law in 2022.
She married Olney Knudtson on November 22nd, 1965, in Okinawa where they met while he was stationed with the Special Forces group and she worked as a translator/interpreter.
She became a homemaker after teaching for a short time in Okinawa. During her time as a homemaker, she worked part-time in the Indiana Area School District cafeteria where she would be able to see all of the kids she enjoyed so much. She retired after 18 years. She also spent some years working at Luigi’s in Clymer, PA. where she enjoyed cooking.
She enjoyed having ALOT of fun with her kids, friends, and neighbors and was always eager to assist friends and family when needed.
Nariko was very kind, outgoing and loved spending time with her grandkids, playing bingo, playing cards, dancing, fitness and walking, and being involved at the VFW Indiana Auxiliary – 1989, the Indiana Senior Center and with the Red Cross. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church as well. You’d never see her without a smile, joking or laughing about something.
She was preceded in death by her husband Olney. She is survived by a daughter Rosanna Knudtson (Doug Stancombe) of White Oak, Pa; a son David Knudtson of Bellevue, PA; 3 Grandsons, Jimmy Farrell, Nathan Farrel of Bethany Beach, DE, Maximos Gisriel; 1 granddaughter Audriana Gisriel; 1 great grandson Ioannis Gisriel of White Oak, PA; a sister Keiko (Bill) Merashoff of Auburndale, FL; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Special thank you to Bridges Hospice Staff who were of such great caring support to Nariko & the family.
Nariko’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. She wishes for everyone to celebrate her life everyday by living a life full of joy, dancing and pizza parties. A celebration of her life will be posted at a later date.
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